his hands. "George, George! my son, my only son; have I deserved this
at your hands? The trial is too great for flesh and blood to bear. O my
God! my just and righteous God! Thou hast shattered my idol of clay to
pieces, and my heart lies broken and trampled in the dust. Ralph, tell
the wretched boy to come to me directly."

'The old man hesitated. "Not while you are in this excited state, my
dear master. Wait a while, until your passion calms down; it is apt to
betray you into sin. I implore you to deal leniently with the lad.
Remember it is his first offence. He may repent, and you may save your
son."

'"Yes; if I could believe that it was his first offence. The same thing
happened at Christmas. He has become hardened in successful villany.
The crime is not against me alone; it is against the Church, and must
be punished accordingly. Don't raise your hands in that deprecating
manner, Ralph, or attempt to plead for him," and he stamped his foot
impatiently; "I must and will be obeyed. Why do you loiter, old man? Go
for him directly."

'Just then a rap came to the door.

'Ralph opened it, for he knew the step, and the accused stood before
them, smiling and serene, unconscious of the thunder-clouds that
lowered above his head. He advanced a few paces into the room, then
stood still. His eyes wandered from his father's death-pale face to the
downcast countenance of the old serving-man. Surprised and distressed,
he wondered what it could mean. His mother had been confined to her
chamber for some days with a serious attack of lung disease. The doctor
had just seen her, and pronounced her out of danger; he came to bring